For real adventurers there is everything here - wild nature, northern lights and lots of snow and ice. During the winter months, one of the largest snow hotels in the world is located on the shore of Lake Lehtojärvi. The Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos is only half an hour away from Lapland's capital Rovaniemi and yet in the middle of arctic nature. Here in the Arctic Circle you can experience the fascinating Northern Lights particularly comfortably.
Ville and Heidi Haavikko set up the snow hotel in Ville's home town - the first SnowHotel was opened in December 2008 and after that new one has been built every year. And although the room temperature is 0-5 °C inside the snow hotel, you can sleep warm thanks to the sleeping bags and soft blankets.
In addition to the snow suites in the snow hotel made of ice, there are now 39 glass igloos with bathrooms, refrigerators and kettles. The first glass igloos were built back in 2014 in order to be able to offer guests something very special – a 360-degree view of the fascinating sky. Inside the glass igloos the temperature is the same as in normal hotel rooms.
The snow sauna is unique in the world - an unbelievable combination of dense steam and walls of snow. There is also a classic Finnish wooden sauna with a jacuzzi. So you can dive into warm bubbles and enjoy an ice-cold drink at the same time.
The entire snow hotel is made of snow and ice - even the tables in the restaurant where the excellent regional food is served. The ice restaurant has a cool design with snow and ice sculptures, the "Kota" restaurant is more cozy with lots of wood and a campfire atmosphere. The central cafeteria and breakfast restaurant is attached to the lobby with gift shop. This is also where the numerous excursions start - to huskies, to the Santa Claus Village or to the electric snowmobiles - you couldn't get more Arctic Circle flair.
Rooms + Rates
| Tiny House | from199 € |
| Double room | from338 € |
| Suite | from449 € |
Sustainable
ArchitectureThe Arctic SnowHotel is one of the largest snow hotels in the world and is carved out of snow and ice every year. The style, the carvings and the ice art vary every time. All the materials used to build the SnowHotel come from the local area. For example, the ice used in the buildings comes from Lake Lehtojärvi right next to the hotel. In the glass-roofed igloos you sleep under a 360º glass roof, that multiplies your chances of seeing the renowned Aurora Borealis. All accommodation includes the Aurora alarm so that you will be waken up in case of the Northern Lights.
FoodThe exquisite style of the ice restaurant, where everything is made of ice - the tables, the glasses and the bar - is impressive. The Kota restaurant prepares dishes - such as regional salmon fillet - on an open fire. Any food waste is avoided and the drinking water comes from local sources. The guests are informed about the practice of sustainability and encouraged to participate.
The hotel creates many jobs and is committed to sustainability, environmental protection and cultural preservation among service providers. They want to make eco-friendly choices and encourage staff to develop the hotel's day-to-day operations through training and human resource management.
EnvironmentThe lighting with energy-saving lamps works with motion detectors. Geothermal energy is used for heating and there are solar panels in summer. Only environmentally friendly cleaning agents are used that do not harm the environment or employees.
Characteristics
- One of the largest snow hotels in the world, carved out of snow and ice every year - always redesigned
- Located directly on the shore of Lake Lehtojärvi, in the Arctic Circle, in the middle of Lapland's nature
- Offers “cold accommodation” safely and comfortably in unique snow hotel rooms and “warm accommodation” inside 306 degree glass igloos
- Three different restaurants with regional delicacies such as reindeer, salmon and berries
- Spectacular ice restaurant where everything is made of ice: the tables, the glasses and the bar
- Highlights: sky bar with a gigantic view, annual art festival, mystical snow chapel
- Many activities possible in the area: unique snow saunas, tobogganing, trips to Santa Claus Village, guided snowshoe hikes, carving snow sculptures and ice fishing, electric snowmobile safaris (eSled), husky tours, and much more
Features
- Snow hotel snow suites and superior rooms made of ice + sleeping bags and soft blankets to sleep warm and cozy
- Cabin-like glass igloos each with bathroom, refrigerator and kettle
- Buffet breakfast and common sauna included in the price
- Ice restaurant, Ice bar, Kota restaurant, breakfast restaurant and cafeteria, Sky bar
- Common sauna for all guests
- Snow saunas, Finnish saunas and jacuzzis for private families / groups / couples
- Lobby with gift shop
- Ice Chapel for weddings, events and celebrations
Testimonials
Electrically-heated roofs in igloo-inspired cabins in the middle of a pine forest allow you to lie in bed and see the starry night sky — and, if conditions are right, the incredible drama of the northern lights. You can sign up for their Aurora Alarm to wake you up so you won’t miss the wondrous show in the sky.
Located in the bustling city of Rovaniemi, the very heart of Finnish Lapland, the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos offer guests spectacular 360-degree views of the Nordic skies—not to mention a plethora of Arctic activities sure to satisfy even the most restless of travelers. Whether you opt for the SnowHotel or the Glass Igloos, be sure to spend your days snowshoeing, snow sculpting, or decompressing (in the snow sauna, of course).
Open from the beginning of December to the end of March, this is the quintessential Northern Lights viewing base, far from city light pollution and by a frozen lake. For accommodation, choose between luxury en-suite glass igloos and enchantingly illuminated SnowHotel rooms.
Rooms + Rates
| Tiny House | from199 € |
| Double room | from338 € |
| Suite | from449 € |
Location + Directions
By car
From Rovaniemi it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Arctic SnowHotel (36 km) and from Oulu it takes about 3 hours (232 km). The exact address can be found on the website.
With public transport
Rovaniemi, the nearest major city, is easily accessible by plane or train. From there, however, there is no way to get to the hotel by public transport. On request it is possible to organize a pick-up from there or you can take a taxi the 36 km to the hotel.
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